Friday, June 14, 2013

Federer Notches Second Career Double Bagel Vs. Zverev in Halle

(June 14, 2013)--If you blinked, you might have missed it. But no worries, because the above highlight package, at 3:53, is nearly as long as Roger Federer's 6-0, 6-0 victory over Mischa Zverev lasted during Friday's quarterfinal at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany.
The lopsided victory for Federer marks only the second time in his career that he has completely blanked an opponent. In 2005, Federer defeated Gaston Gaudio in the Masters Cup on an indoor hard court. What is remarkable about that win is that Gaudio was ranked No. 9 in the world at the time.
Zverev entered today's tilt at 156 in the World. He had reached the quarterfinals as a wild card, but was overwhelmed by the five-time Halle champion. Federer won 54 of 76 total points in the match, including 29 of 43 against the left-hander's serve. Federer broke serve six times on ten opportunities and will face Tommy Haas in one of tomorrow's semifinals at the Wimbledon grass-court tuneup.
“I feel sorry for Mischa," said Federer afterwards. "Actually, I don’t want to win my matches like it. It’s kind of uncomfortable.”
Zverev, who defeated David Goffin in the first round and Mirza Basic in the second, didn't take the loss too hard. "I'd rather lose 6-0, 6-0 to Roger in a quarterfinal than to a qualifier in the second round," Zverev said. "At least there is something to talk about later."
Federer Bagel Notes:
Federer is 75-0 in matches that he has recorded a bagel.
Federer's first bagel came in the third set of a match with Romania's Andrei Pavel in Rotterdam in 2001.
Federer has recorded 23 bagels against the top ten.
Federer has bageled his rival Rafael Nadal three times.
Federer has been bageled four times in his career, including once by Rafael Nadal.
The other three players to bagel Federer? Vincent Spadea, Patrick Rafter and Byron Black.